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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider New Zealand Embassy, ENZ launch roadshow to boost Filipino student engagement

New Zealand Embassy, ENZ launch roadshow to boost Filipino student engagement

Published Jun 16, 2025 03:43 pm
The Panelists: Chortip Pramoolpol, Education New Zealand market manager, Ben Burrowes, Education New Zealand regional director for Asia, Dr. Catherine McIntosh, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines, Dyan Mabunga Rodriguez, International Development Cooperation Manager, and Jao Yabut, New Zealand Embassy policy adviser
The Panelists: Chortip Pramoolpol, Education New Zealand market manager, Ben Burrowes, Education New Zealand regional director for Asia, Dr. Catherine McIntosh, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines, Dyan Mabunga Rodriguez, International Development Cooperation Manager, and Jao Yabut, New Zealand Embassy policy adviser
The New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines and Education New Zealand (ENZ) hosted a special media information session on May 27 at the New Zealand Official Residence in Makati to highlight the growing number of Filipino students choosing New Zealand.
The roundtable session marked the launch of Education New Zealand’s Philippine Roadshow, which will bring international education opportunities to students and institutions in Metro Manila, Bacolod and Cebu, and underscore New Zealand’s commitment to strengthening educational linkages with the Philippines.
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh and Ben Burrowes, Education New Zealand regional director for Asia, led the roundtable alongside Dyan Mabunga, international development cooperation manager, and Chortip Pramoolpol, Education New Zealand market manager, who shared insights into studying, living and thriving in New Zealand.
The discussion highlighted new insights on Filipino student trends and education preferences in New Zealand; Education New Zealand’s growing strategic focus on vocational and applied learning; partnership opportunities between Philippine and New Zealand institutions; shared commitment to student well-being, global career pathways and long-term alumni engagement; and updates on the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme.
“A big focus for our New Zealand government is we want to diversify the international student cohort,” Burrowes said. “We obviously want to expose our young Kiwi students to different cultures, different religions — students who just bring completely different perspectives to their own. Hence, we are encouraging certainly more students from here in the Philippines.”
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh; Education New Zealand Regional Director for Asia Ben Burrowes
New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh; Education New Zealand Regional Director for Asia Ben Burrowes
This year, ENZ said it targets to attract more Filipinos and showcase what New Zealand universities can offer, including post-study opportunities for eligible international students, and will guide participants in their journey to study and gain qualification in one of the safest countries in the world — New Zealand.
Vocational and applied learning options in New Zealand often include internships, work placements and industry projects, to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the workplace. We look forward to showcasing New Zealand's vocational and applied study options to Filipino students and parents, Burrowes said.
In the same roundtable discussion, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh announced the increase in government scholarship allotment for Filipinos. She said the government-funded Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships will start accepting 44 qualified students in 2026, up from the previous 16 slots allocated for the Philippines in 2024.
“It really is a significant increase in support of our foreign policy objectives in the region, but also the comprehensive partnership, which has been agreed to bilaterally between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon,” she said.
Ambassador Dr. Catherine McIntosh with the New Zealand Education team and the members of the media at the special media information session
Ambassador Dr. Catherine McIntosh with the New Zealand Education team and the members of the media at the special media information session
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